Deciduous Azaleas

Deciduous azaleas have the distinction of producing some of the most striking flowers of all landscape plants. Magenta pinks, vivid oranges, and brilliant yellows are just a few of the standout colors available. Some varieties even offer exotic bi-colored or tri-colored blossoms, frilled flowers, or fragrance. Deciduous azaleas put on their spectacular show in late spring to midsummer, when many of the early-flowering have lost their bloom. In addition to their glorious flowers, many deciduous azaleas have attractive foliage that turns deep shades of crimson and maroon in the fall. Plant shapes range from vase-like to wide, free-branching forms. All of these qualities make deciduous azaleas showpieces in any garden setting.

Deciduous azaleas thrive in the Puget Sound area when given proper care. They enjoy full open sun when given proper watering, fertilizing, and mulching. Light shade is also fine. They are more tolerant of sun and less-than-ideal soil or watering than their evergreen cousins, and they are very hardy (some withstanding temperatures to –40 degrees).

All azaleas prefer rich soil with good aeration, drainage, and water retention. See Sky Nursery’s General Planting Instructions sheet for details on soil preparation and planting.

Azaleas like to be kept moist but not soggy. A light layer of mulch can help improve water retention, and will also slowly improve your soil quality. Deciduous azaleas dislike heavy mulches: do not mulch deeper than an inch, and do not allow it to touch the trunks of your plants. Planting or mulching too deep can kill your azalea or retard its flowering.

Summer watering is usually necessary in the Northwest for optimum plant performance. Regular feeding is also helpful. You can use Dr. Earth Azalea, , and Camellia Food or E. B. Stone Azalea, Camellia, and Gardenia Food in spring, or feed lightly each month with Greenall Care. Follow package instructions.

Deciduous azaleas benefit from light pruning. Prune to shape your plant as soon as possible after the blooms fade. Pruning late in the season can diminish next year’s bloom. Begin pruning the first year the plant is in the ground—don’t wait until a plant is 8 feet tall to cut it back to 4 feet.

Deciduous azaleas seldom have insect problems. They do, however, sometimes suffer attacks of powdery mildew (bane of our Northwest gardens!). If mildew becomes a problem, treat with Bonide copper fungicide, Serenade, or Bonide Neem. Be sure to follow the directions on the label.

For other problems or questions, contact one of Sky’s nursery associates.

18528 Aurora Ave. N., Shoreline, WA • skynursery.com • 206-546-4851 • Rev. 2/20/21 2021 Deciduous Azalea List

HYBRID AZALEA VARIETIES

Cannon’s Double -pink to cream with yellow throat; dark pink buds. Fragrant, double flowers. 4-8’

Gibralter Vivid . Fragrant single 2 ½” flowers. Mildew resistant plant. 6-10’

Golden Lights Gold with salmon or orange highlights. Abundant single flowers. Mildew resistant plant. 4-8’

Klondyke Orange with yellow flare. Fragrant single flowers. Mildew resistant plant. 4-8’

Lemon Lights Lemon yellow. Lightly fragrant single flowers. 4-6’

Mandarin Lights Bright red-orange. Lightly fragrant, ruffled single flowers. 4-8’

Mount St. Helens Salmon-pink with an orange-gold blotch. Large fragrant flowers. Mildew resistant plant. 4-8’

Northern Hi-Lights White with yellow blotch. Lightly fragrant single flowers. Mildew resistant plant. 4-8’

Tangerine Delight Tangerine orange. Fragrant single flowers. 4-8’.

(Weston’s) Lemon Drop Pale lemon yellow; peachy-pink buds. Lightly fragrant flowers. 4-5’

SPECIES AZALEA VARIETIES

R. occidentale (Western Azalea) White to pale pink with yellow flare, sometimes with dark pink markings. Very fragrant single flowers. 3-5’

18528 Aurora Ave. N., Shoreline, WA • skynursery.com • 206-546-4851 • Rev. 2/20/21 • Page 2